Jackson is 3!

This has been quite a year for Jackson!  Combining all of the mannerisms from the year before with his advancing verbal skills has been quite funny to watch.  It's been fun to see how his personality has developed!  We have seen it all...his jovial and funny side, as well as the strong-willed and stubborn.  This boy has surprised us with his love of arguing and attempt at reasoning with us.  I will have to admit, this most likely comes from me, but I did not expect to see it so soon!  He and his big sister are giving us a run for our money in this area!

Jackson just started Preschool this year.  He was thrilled!  Like his sister, he enjoys telling me all about his day...especially highlighting his "snack time".  I am noticing how independent he is becoming and realizing that "toddler-hood" feels ages behind us now.  He has learned many new skills such as dressing himself and putting on his shoes (crocs and flip-flops).  He gets easily frustrated when he cannot complete tasks as well as his older sister.  He is very competitive and motivated to do it himself, though, and will rarely let me help him.

Jackson seems to be mechanically-inclined and loves to try to take things apart.  I always catch him in the drawer getting out the screwdriver to "fix" something, or playing with his toolbox kit.  Over the summer, we found out he was capable to start a car on his own!  The keys have not been left in the ignition since!

We are so proud of you, Jackson!  Not a day goes by that I don't thank the Lord for you and what a blessing you are to our family.  I love you!  Happy Birthday, son!

NAME: Jackson Lee

HEIGHT: 3' 3"

BEST FRIENDS: Lily, Judah, Christopher, Maryanna, Powell, Lola, Jake, Sam, Maria, Jacob

AGE: 3

SCHOOL: Sycamore Hills Baptist Preschool

PETS: Kelsey

FAVORITE THINGS TO DO:: chase chickens, wrestle with Daddy, dance to Kidz Bop, run and hop, play soccer, read books, play games with Lily, Legos, trains, cars, iPad time

SPECIAL SKILLS: dressing and undressing himself, speaking in full sentences and able to follow multiple-step directions, potty-trained (YAY!!), knows all shapes, colors, and numbers to (almost) 20!

FAVORITE SONGS: ABC's, The B.I.B.L.E, Trust and Obey, Jesus Loves Me, Michael Jackson's Best Hits

FAVORITE FOOD: Popcorn...although this boy loves to eat any snacks! And he is our "try it" kid. He will try anything once....including spicy stuff!

FAVORITE TOYS: balls, cars, trains

FAVORITE BOOK: Oh No, George! (We returned this to the library after renewing it, and he found it on the shelf so we could check it out again!)

FAVORITE CANDY: Lollipops, gum, and mints (thank you Grandpa L.!)

FAVORITE T.V. SHOW: Peppa Pig, Paw Patrol

FAVORITE SPORTS: Soccer, Basketball, Football, Baseball

FAVORITE PHRASE: besides asking for something to eat/drink constantly?! Hmm...

"We're buddies, right?", "Oker dokers, artichokers", "What?" (This drives me nuts!  He says it even when he has fully heard and understood what you just said!), "Because..." (He uses this to explain his poor behavior when he is getting in trouble.  What follows is some far-fetched explanation that usually does not make sense.)

SEVEN TRAITS TO DESCRIBE JACKSON: Independent, Strong-Willed, Loving, Funny, Center of Attention, Smart, Daddy's Boy

The Tooth Fairy visits Lily!

The day finally arrived for Lily!  At 6 years and 9 months old, her first two baby teeth finally came out.  Lily had been whining a bit that her bottom teeth were hurting.  Figuring they were finally loosening up, I kept telling her just to wiggle them and soon enough they would come out.  That was until she showed me her mouth!  Her permanent tooth did not have room to come in, due to overcrowding of her baby teeth, so it came in behind!  They call this a "shark tooth".  Yikes!  Since her teeth in front were not remotely loose, the dentist suggested coming in to have them removed.  Lily was such a trooper throughout the whole process, and since I had Jackson with me, she endured the procedure alone in the exam room!  One more example of how much my little girl is growing up!

She was in a bit of pain the first 24 hours, but seems to be enjoying the new "lisp" sound she is making without those two teeth in front. :-)  And, this was her first opportunity to use the new Tooth Fairy pillow Aunt Sarah F. made for her!  It was quite fitting that this day was also "Superhero" day at school, so Lily went in to the dentist as Wonder Woman.  Indeed she is!

new smile!

before the procedure.  best closeup I could get of her "shark tooth"

the Tooth Fairy came!

Jackson's first day of Preschool!

Today was the day!  Jackson's first day of Preschool!  I'm still in a bit of a fog that this day has already come and gone.  Surprisingly, it seemed so "normal"!  He has been talking and talking about going to "big school" like his sister Lily.  He admires her so much so the thought of being able to go to school "just like sissy" makes him very proud.

We had Back to School Open House last week.  While Daddy and I were in a parent meeting, Jackson was in his class getting acquainted with his new teacher, Mrs. Jessica.  This was the best idea.  He had a great opportunity to have some one-on-one time with his teacher and meet some new classmates.  Honestly, I was fearful beforehand how this event might turn out.  He does not have any familiar faces at this school, so there was a strong possibility this may have gone badly...meaning with tears, lots of tears.  But, once again, he proved me wrong!  He walked right in and turned to me and said "Bye Mama!"  Well, OK then!  

Today was even smoother!  I walked him up to his class, he hung up his backpack, then found his name to put on the board.  There were a few hugs and kisses (probably more for me than for him!) and he was off and playing.  No tears from him..or from me!  Like I said, this transition just felt natural.  

I picked him up after class and he was jabbering the whole way home about singing songs, reading books, playing in the playground, meeting new friends, and having snacks!  He is so excited to go back on Thursday!  We are so proud of our little Preschooler!

with his teacher, Mrs. Jessica

Back to School night

in front of the playground

outside of his classroom

finding his name to put on the board

hanging up his backpack